Swachhta 50-50 launched in Bandipora to strengthen shared responsibility for sustainable waste management
BANDIPORA, JULY 31 (PTK): Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Indu Kanwal Chib, on Friday launched the district-wide “Swachhta 50-50” initiative, a flagship campaign based on the principle of 50 per cent Government and 50 per cent public participation to promote effective and sustainable solid waste management across the district.
The district-level convention was held at the Conference Hall, Mini Secretariat, Bandipora, and was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner Bandipora Nazir Ahmad Mir, Programme Officer ICDS Bandipora Yaar Ali Khan, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat Aijaz Ahmad, Chief Education Officer, District Information Officer, Block Development Officers and other stakeholders.
The programme commenced with the National Anthem followed by the Swachhta Pledge administered by students of Government Higher Secondary School Quilmuqam.
Addressing the gathering, the Deputy Commissioner described Swachhta 50-50 as a people’s movement founded on shared responsibility and urged all stakeholders to work collectively to make the initiative a success.
She said the District Administration had already taken three major steps towards scientific waste management and that the launch of Swachhta 50-50 marked the fourth milestone in this direction.
Announcing the implementation strategy, the Deputy Commissioner said that after a one-month handholding period, Bulk Waste Generators (BWGs) would be required to scientifically manage their own waste in accordance with the Solid Waste Management Rules, while the administration would continue to provide technical support and guidance.
She informed that 89 identified Bulk Waste Generators in the district account for a significant share of waste generation and would be brought under the new mechanism.
The Deputy Commissioner said exhibitions would be organised to demonstrate scientific waste management practices and clarified that implementation-related issues in rural areas would be handled by the Assistant Commissioner Panchayat, while urban concerns would be addressed by the respective Municipal Committees.
She also informed that the District Administration had successfully implemented an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) initiative in Gurez, with 11 companies participating. Of these, three companies have accepted the proposals, while the remaining firms are monitoring the district’s waste management efforts and are expected to take a decision in the coming weeks.
She reiterated that under the EPR framework, responsibility for collection and disposal of single-use plastic (SUP) rests with the producers.
The Deputy Commissioner further informed that a dedicated coordination group has been constituted to ensure sustained implementation of the initiative and that the administration has developed a dedicated Swachhta 50-50 portal for monitoring and management of the programme.
Highlighting the role of educational institutions, she said every school and every Anganwadi Centre would adopt 50 households on a long-term basis. Students would sensitise their parents on waste management practices, while teachers would certify installation of separate dustbins in their own homes to encourage community participation.
She also stressed the need for greater participation of men in household waste management.
The Deputy Commissioner outlined four key household responsibilities under the initiative, including installation of separate dustbins for source segregation, home composting of wet waste, payment of user fees and adoption of cloth bags to eliminate the use of single-use plastic.
She directed that implementation of the initiative should begin in schools from Monday and urged stakeholders to sensitise shopkeepers regarding the use of cloth bags.
During the convention, Dr. Saptak Rarotra of SWAAHA Resources Management Pvt. Ltd. demonstrated the Swachhta 50-50 digital platform, explaining its features, including organisation mapping, household allocation, baseline surveys, QR code generation and monitoring mechanisms.
The programme also featured technical sessions on scientific waste management. Capacity Building Expert, Housing and Urban Development Department, Tabrez Madni, delivered a presentation on scientific solid waste management, highlighting the provisions of the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, source segregation, door-to-door collection, composting technologies, Material Recovery Facilities, sanitary waste disposal, recycling practices and responsibilities of waste generators and Bulk Waste Generators.
Earlier, Assistant Commissioner Panchayat Bandipora appreciated the efforts of the District Administration in strengthening sustainable waste management, while Programme Officer ICDS Bandipora Yaar Ali Khan highlighted the “Kabaad se Jugaad” initiative being implemented in Anganwadi Centres as an innovative approach to resource utilisation and waste management.
An interactive session was also held during which students and participants shared their views and raised concerns regarding the impact of improper waste disposal on agricultural land and soil fertility.
Concluding the programme, the Deputy Commissioner urged citizens to begin the campaign from their own homes, stating that meaningful transformation can only be achieved through active public participation. She also announced that Phase-II of the initiative would bring more organisations under the ambit of Swachhta 50-50, further strengthening the district’s shared responsibility model for sustainable waste management.(PTK)
